Qwest Field, the Seahawks' home stadium since 2002, will be renamed CenturyLink Field. Gerry Spratt of SeattlePi.com first reported the news. The official announcement and a new logo will be unveiled on Thursday.

Since the stadium opened in 2002, it has gained the reputation around the NFL as one of the toughest venues to play in for opposing teams. The combination of the long trip to get to the Pacific Northwest and the loud crowd — known as the 12th Man — have helped the team finish first in the NFC West six times since ’02.

The Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer also use the stadium.

"Although the name of this facility will change; the history, tradition and spirit of the 12th Man and the Sounders FC supporters will never change," said Peter McLoughlin, the president of both the Seahwaks and Sounders.

CenturyLink, the third-largest telecommunications company in the U.S., purchased Qwest Communications in April in a deal worth more than $20 billion.